Australia v England, first Ashes Test, day two: Poms dig in to grab upper hand at Edgbaston

Australia knew Steve Smith had got them out of jail but the extent of his heroics is only just being revealed now as England look set for a huge first innings lead at Edgbaston.

James Pattinson took two wickets and bowled with aggression.

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Reality hit hard for Australia’s new-look Test bowling attack as England found a bankable opener in Rory Burns who put the home team’s foot in front of the climb towards their Ashes Everest. 

The day after a glorious Steve Smith hundred rescued Australia from the brink of embarrassment at Edgbaston, the lack of substantial runs from his teammates bit hard and the tourist’s total was exposed as not nearly enough.

When stumps was called the full house of Brummies were in full voice as England reached 4-267, just 17 runs behind the Aussie total and with three Test century makers yet to even bat.

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Opener Rory Burns proved the unlikely hero for the Poms.

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Opener Rory Burns batted the entire day after benefitting from yet another dud umpiring call, and a lack of conviction from Australia, after being given not out LBW to Nathan Lyon when he was 21. There was no review. He would have been out if there was.

Instead the 28-year-old sent a message to his critics with a maiden Test ton finishing unbeaten on 125, with Ben Stokes (38 not out) just warming up. 

Comeback kid James Pattinson (2-54) was the best of a hardworking Aussie bowling attack left to rue the small margins which determined so much of the day.

Pattinson took his first Test wicket for nearly 1200 days when he removed opener Jason Roy for just 10.

But in combination with Peter Siddle, who has played just three Tests since 2016, the pair found the Test toil hard going.

It was a tough day at the office for Pat Cummins and co.

It was also an effort without any sort of luck. The false shot ratio from all six English batsmen who fronted up was high.

But they all rode out the storm like a rodeo cowboy who stays on until the bucking bronco has nothing left to give.

Burns was more an immovable object than majestic run maker but his innings smacked of the sort of endurance effort needed in a series in which runs will need to be manufactured in all manner of ways.

James Pattinson took two wickets and bowled with aggression.

Ben Stokes is looming as a major problem for the Aussies.

It was a lesson the Australia top-order should take on board, too; that application can outdo technique. Disregarded as a factor before the match begun, Burns squeezed and scratched his way around, scoring more than half of his first 50 runs off the edge of his bat. He played false shots to one in every four balls according to CricViz.

He went 40 minutes after tea without scoring at all, and spent 35 minutes in the 90s. Even on 99, he played and missed three times to Nathan Lyon as he searched for the biggest single of his career.

When it came, it was only just. Burns pushed the ball to mid-on, set off, and James Pattinson his the stumps with his throw. But Burns already had his helmet off, and took a bow as the umpire asked for a review.

Nathan Lyon didn't have much luck.

The Surrey captain was still there at the end of the day, the great Edgbaston survivor, having seen off three balls, after the first one was changed at the 60-over mark, and six bowlers. The Aussies even threw an over from Matthew Wade, and two from Travis Head in to the mix as they ached for the second new ball.

But even when that came, Australia could not breakthrough.

The Hollies Stand heaved even more as several appeals were turned down, Burns again played and missed, and England inched ever closer to a first innings lead.

A cloudy Saturday is likely, and the ball will still be relatively new. A couple of positives to, as the locals say, go on with.

Originally published as Australia v England, first Ashes Test, day two: Poms dig in to grab upper hand at Edgbaston